Volume 2, No. 41 October 25, 2002
‘Soldier’ a fortune of details A Review By Kim Herrington Have you ever gazed at a sunset and thought, "Wow that’s beautiful?" This sunset may be beautiful because of the hues cast over the horizon. Or perhaps, the skyline may consist of interesting objects that may present a picturesque view. Maybe this sunset is one you have time to enjoy. Spend this moment with that special someone in your life and the sunset is an entirely different experience. Depending on your perception or mood, the sunset affects you in a number of ways. The fact remains that it is an ordinary process with intricate details that make it extraordinary. I thought about this while reading "The Buffalo Soldier" by Chris Bohjalian. It’s a novel about ordinary people and their reactions to life’s trials. For instance, Terry and Laura Sheldon are a Caucasian couple whose twin daughters drown in a flash flood. The couple begins the grieving process by searching for some solace in their incredibly ordinary lives. The Sheldons decide to adopt a child and receive an African-American boy, Alfred. This child was abandoned by his mother at the age of five and is silenced by deep emotional scars. Quickly, the Sheldons realize that adopting the child is hardly a quick fix to their grief. In fact, Laura recognizes this and decides to teach a Sunday school class and Terry has a brief extramarital affair. Unfulfilled, the couple refocuses their attention on Alfred and the foundation of their marriage. Through their efforts to connect with Alfred, they are able to go on with their lives. Initially, this novel was difficult to get through because of the uneventful plot and the almost nonexistent character development. However, upon a second read I realized that the value of the novel lies within the details and incredible symbolism. A case in point, "The Buffalo Soldier" is named for a cap Alfred wears. The cap bears the emblem of a buffalo, the symbol for the Ninth Calvary from 1867 to 1898. The Ninth Calvary consisted of black soldiers living out West. They received the nick name "buffalo soldiers" from the Comanche Indians who thought the soldiers’ hair resembled that of the buffalo. The name also reflects the respect the Comanche had for the Ninth Calvary. The Ninth Calvary’s dedication to the army reminded the Comanche of the buffalo’s dedication to its herd. Furthermore, the buffalo provided life’s necessities for the Comanche and for that the Comanche considered the buffalo to be sacred. Similarly, Alfred is dedicated to the Sheldons and is helping them heal the emotional scars made of the tragedy they endured. Alfred’s incredible ability to cope with his unstable life of moving from one foster home to another is commendable. Symbolism is apparent in the event of the twins’ death too. They were found lying a few feet apart from one another. One twin’s body hardly revealed any damage while the other was badly marred. This symbolizes the effects of their deaths on their parents. Laura’s pain is visible compared to that of her husband. She seeks counseling with her minister for the dramatic change in her behavior. Terry’s pain is less visible considering the fact that he continues with his life as if nothing has occurred. There are other instances of symbolism in "The Buffalo Soldier" that add depth. Perception is the key to unlocking the hidden events taking place in the Sheldon household. On the surface, the Sheldon’s story is somewhat ordinary. However, the details make it extraordinary and also make "The Buffalo Soldier" a sensational read.
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